The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is monitoring the developments related to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) relevant to NRAEF events and program activities. Announcements regarding any changes to these activities will be posted here, as they become available. Current updates:
We are hosting NPSI Live on Thursday June 4th! The COVID-19 crisis forced the 2020 National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) to be cancelled, but NRAEF is still recognizing and celebrating the program’s talented culinary arts and restaurant management ProStart students. We are hosting a special virtual celebration, NPSI Live, on June 4th, featuring guest appearances by celebrity chefs and some of the Foundation’s biggest supporters. The event will be held live on the ProStart Facebook page at 6 p.m. EST. Click here to learn more and RSVP today!
Due to the COVID-19 viral disease pandemic and its related and persistent safety concerns, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) has been forced to cancel Summer Institutes 2020. Based upon the World Health Organization’s guidance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to limit gatherings, the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation to avoid nonessential travel, and State emergency declarations, conducting Summer Institutes has become an impossibility, despite our diligence. We send our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause; however, the safety and wellbeing of program attendees, host site staff and students, and those with whom they come into contact with is our highest priority. All host sites and registered course attendees will receive notifications by the Summer Institutes team via email. If you have any other questions, please contact us at SIEvents@restaurant.org.
NRAEF's Statement on COVID-19.
For more information from the National Restaurant Association and resources available for the restaurant industry, click here.
STATUS UPDATE: April 23, 2020
Donate Now Through the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, we will provide grants to restaurant industry employees who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 financially. Visit RERF.us today to make a donation to support restaurant workers across the country. Applying for the Fund Due to an overwhelming response of 60,000 applicants to date, the Fund is not currently accepting new applications. Our team is working hard to respond to applicants and process applications. We are also happy to report that we have begun sending out grant awards. Our team is humbled by the enormous interest in the Fund and are committed to aiding restaurant workers who have suffered from the COVID-19 crisis. We take our responsibility to the restaurant and foodservice community seriously and we apologize for any challenges and issues you may have experienced during your attempt to apply for a Fund grant award due to the overwhelming interest. We remain committed to helping as many restaurant workers as possible. We are continuously fundraising to raise money needed to assist additional individuals in the future.
For updates about the Fund, please re-visit us at rerf.us and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Thank you.
The NRAEF has created the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF) to support U.S. restaurant workers financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The Fund will be distributing grants to individuals who apply and meet the RERF eligibility requirements. Guy Fieri, industry icon, is leading a nationwide fundraising drive for the Fund.
NRAEF President Rob Gifford shares the latest information on the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund in his new blog post on LinkedIn, highlighting NRAEF’s partner Guy Fieri, who’s helped us fundraise over $16 million.
Nacho-loving rivals Guy Fieri and Bill Murray are teaming up for a virtual nacho-making competition to raise awareness and donations for the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF). Watch Live May 15 at 5 p.m. ET on Food Network’s Facebook Page. Food Network’s Carla Hall to Emcee, and Basketball Legend Shaquille O’Neal and Actor Terry Crews to Judge.
Select the best option for you:
Since 1987, we’ve helped nearly 2,000 students with merit-based undergraduate scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
Come join the first-ever apprenticeship program developed specifically for restaurant, food service, and hospitality.
Whether you want to get ServSafe certified or become a Certified Secondary Foodservice Educator, we have you covered.
Partner with us to feed dreams and build futures in the restaurant and foodservice industry.
View All Industry Partners